Shoe



y 1942- R. STEWART 2,290,390

snon

lg'iled May 28, 1941 Altar nef- Patented July 21, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application May 28, 1941, Serial No. 395,548

2 Claims. (01. 36-33) My invention relates to the manufacture of shoes and sandals fabricated mainly of materials other than leather. It is well known that in some of the European countries the use of wood in the manufacture of shoes is still common. The type of wooden shoe used in Europe principally is of one piece construction and has no provision for flexibility, and in the forms generally used such shoes are heavy and cumbersome.

The purpose of my invention is to provide a shoe which can be manufactured of wood or other inexpensive materials. My invention also provides for a shoe having its sole and toe of twopiece construction, the forward or toe-section being assembled in connection with the sole section in such a manner that the toe-section provides for flexibility without the possibility of said toe-section becoming detached. Provision is also made for preventing lateral displacement of the toe-section. My invention also provides means whereby dirt or sand is prevented from entering the hinge of the toe-section. Various means for holding the shoe on the foot may be applied to my construction. The toe-section may be provided with a so-called box toe which may be integral with or attached to the toe-section. The heel section or counter may be integral with or attached to the sole. A strap from the sole can be buckled over the instep if desired, or an entire shoe upper can be attached to the nonleather shoe.

I accomplish these objects by the device illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which similar numerals refer to similar parts in the several views. Figure 1 is a side elevation. Figure 2 is a bottom plan view. Figure 3 is a side elevation of the toe-section when detached. Figure 4 is a partial side elevation of the sole with the toe-section removed. Figure 5 is a side view with the toe-section flexed. Figure 6 is a partial top plan view showing the toe-section in position ready to be assembled in the shoe. Figure '7 is a longitudinal sectional View of the toe-section showing the slot 22.

The construction of my device is as follows: The sole Ill and the heel H are integral and are preferably made of wood or other suitable material such as so-called plastics. If desired, a counter l2 may be formed integral with the heel l l, or it may be attached thereto. [3 shows a strap designed to go over the instep if desired. The forward extremity [4 of the sole [0 is bored out transversely at l5, and the bored opening [5 is cut away at the points [6 and I1, these points acting as stops to limit the rotary or hinged 55 movement of the toe-section I8, the latter being provided with a curved slot 19 adapted to receive the upwardly curved tongue 20 of the clirved extension I4. The toe-section I8 is also provided with a curved section 2l adapted to fit the transverse bore l5. To prevent the toesection [8 from becoming displaced laterally a curved slot 22 is cut away, preferably at the cen-.

ter of the said toe-section, this being illustrated by the sectional view shown in Figure 7. A hole 23 is bored in the sole I 0 through which a pin may be driven into the curved slot 22. If desired, a box toe 25 may be applied to the toesection H3.

The assembly of my device is as follows: The rounded rear portion 2| of the toe-section I8 is inserted into the bore l5 of the sole extremity I4 and pushed clear through the said bore until the ends of the rounded toe-section 2| come flush with the sides of the sole Ill. The pin 24 is then driven into the hole 23, extending up into the slot 22, thus locking the toe-section 18 against lateral movement, but permitting a rotative or hinged movement of the said toe-section.

This construction is very simple and inexpensive and is particularly adapted for outing or beach use. The recent development in the manufacture of so-called plastics offers an opportunity to produce some very original and. attractive applications of variety of color as well as transparent effects. It is believed that the cost of producing these shoes can be materially reduced by cutting these soles out of solid blocks, using machinery similar to that used in turning gun-stocks.

The sole l0 and the toe-section l8 may be of so-called plastic material, in which case these parts are cast in suitable molds, thus providing a method of manufacture which is extremely inexpensive.

What I claim .as my invention and desire to secure .by Letters Patent is:

1. A shoe having its heel and sole formed from a single block, said block having a transverse slot in its forward end, a toe-piece also formed from a single block and having its rear end formed into a transverse semi-cylindrical hinge member mounted in said slot by sliding laterally into position therein; means for preventing subsequent lateral displacement of said toe-piece in said slot, said means consisting of a pin driven upwardly thru said sole member into a radial slot in said semi-cylindrical hinge member, said slot permitting a limited angular movement of said hinge member and preventing lateral displacement thereof.

2. A shoe having its heel and sole formed from a single block, said block having a transverse semi-cylindrical slot in its forward end, a toepiece also formed from a single block and having its rear end formed into a transverse semi-cylindrical hinge member mounted in said slot by sliding it laterally into position therein; means for preventing subsequent lateral displacement of the said toe-piece in said slot, said means consisting of a pin driven upwardly thru said sole member into a radial slot in said semi-cylindrical hinge member, said slot permitting a lim- HOWARD R. STEWART. 

